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The 1K mile marker

To all of you who have purchased a book, or passed along my blog to someone who has, I say a very heartfelt thank you, thank you, thank you!

As I soar past the benchmark of a 1000 books sold, I am sincerely grateful to all who have purchased a copy of Despite Lupus. I can't believe that more than a thousand copies of the book are floating around out there, hopefully being read, highlighted, and bookmarked...what a thrill for a first-time, no-name author like me!

Back when I wrote Despite Lupus, I had two goals - one short-term and one long-term:

The short-term goal was to sell my book to at least one person I didn't know. I knew my friends and family would come through for me and purchase a copy just to make my sales look good - but I figured that if at least one perfect stranger made a purchase, I would have succeeded in sharing my message. A thousand books later, I think it's fair to say that my short-term goal has been met! (Note that the day after my book came out last year, I spoke at a Lupus conference in D.C., where I sold 30 books to, you guessed it, perfect strangers. Was I on cloud nine or what?!)

My long-term goal, after that first week when I realized I was actually going to sell this thing, was to reach 1000 books sold. And I'm proud to say that earlier this month, I surpassed that goal and am now well on my way to Johnny's lofty prediction that in the years to come, I will sell ten times that amount. For that, we shall have to wait and see!

I have to admit that I never lost hope that I'd reach my goal of a thousand books. I felt the momentum building as I worked hard to market the book in the beginning, and knew that all of the preparation and effort that went into the book signings, speaking engagements, and lupus walks I participated in around the country would pay off, if I just kept at it. Not, of course, in a way that would jeopardize my health, but in way that enabled me to demonstrate to others just how mobile, healthy and fulfilled you can be, despite a life with lupus.

Most of all, I continued to believe that the message I had was worth sharing. It was and is a message of hope and courage, a message that is an integral part of a real, lupus success story: never stop believing that you can and will get better. You have to believe, heart and soul, that you have the ability to live well, despite your illness, and that you have the strength and courage to make the decisions required to do so. The steps involved may be a bit challenging, but they are not insurmountable. (Want details on how to tackle those steps? Feel free to check out chapters 1-8 of Despite Lupus, where the author tells all!)

So when a friend of mine shared the following story with me, I not only thought about how much it applied to my most recent goal of a thousand books, but more importantly, how it represents my motto for living well, despite lupus. Here's what she told me:

Her daughter (of whom we're a big fan) has been struggling for the last year with a chronic illness. While she's had very brief periods of reprieve, the disease is wreaking havoc on her body, leaving no body part (or bodily system) untouched. When my friend went into the neighborhood post office recently, the postal worker was kind enough to ask after her daughter, wanting to know if there had been any progress. My friend replied that, of course, the family continues to hope and pray. But the postal worker looked her straight in the eye, and said sternly, with a smile, "That isn't enough. You have to believe."

My hope is that she never stops believing, and that she finds her way to living well soon!!

Comments

Hi Sara, its great to hear that you have sold 1000 books, well done! I bought my copy recently & read it cover to cover in 2 weeks, which is not bad going with brain fog. I thought your spread sheet idea was genius, & I took my 1st copy to my rhuematologist appointment today. She was really impressed, went through each symptom & discussed them with me in detail. Then she asked to put it into my records, which I was going to offer for her to do anyway, but I had half expected some reluctance on her part. The spread sheet works really well for our UK NHS system where appointemnts are rushed because of limited time. It also meant that I didn't forget to mention any of those niggly little symptoms that can get over looked in such situations. I am off for my afternoon nap, which I am now enjoy guilt free thanks to you. Many thanks again & very best wishes to you & your family from a UK lupite.

Congratulations Sara! I bought my copy of your book last week and I'm about halfway through it. I thought it was very helpful and was great to know that I'm not alone with dealing with my Lupus. From the moment I started reading your book, I related to everything you went through (we had a lot of similar symptoms). Your chronic chart was quite helpful too! I had started my chronic chart a couple of years ago myself but it's even better now with many of your suggestions in your book. Thank you for taking the time to write your book and share your experiences. You've inspired me to start my own blog. Best wishes Sara!

Thanks, ladies! So glad the chronic control chart has been helpful. I kept mine for years...and even glanced back at one from a few years ago just the other day. It's so helpful to have everything down in writing - and glad that docs agree!Take care and happy charting!

(Ruth - my family and I are planning a trip to London in the summer of 2011...and I'd love to see if I can arrange a book signing. Let me know if you have any ideas - sara@despitelupus.com. Thanks!)

AND many congrats to you two new lupus bloggers. Can't wait to read up on your life with lupus. There can never be enough resources out there!

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Sara Gorman was diagnosed with systemic lupus at the age of 26. Determined not to let lupus rewrite her plans for the future, she fought to maintain her demanding work schedule, busy social life, and invincible attitude. But after four years of running her body into the ground, she realized she was fighting life, not living it. Committed to working with the disease rather than against it, she made it her top priority to start living well, despite lupus.
Her book, "Despite Lupus: How to Live Well with a Chronic Illness", details the steps it took to reach that goal.
In 2012, Sara also launched Sara Gorman’s Pillbags – a line of fun, fashionable pill organizers. The stylish, fabric pillbags can be found at retail stores across the country, on Amazon.com, and on her website at www.pillfold.com.
A native of Indiana and graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Sara resides in Northern Virginia with her husband and two young daughters.